Cherokee Nation Tours

Embrace the Cherokee Spirit a letter from the chief

Osiyo.

Whether you are just visiting our great state or call it your home, we invite you to explore the Cherokee Nation’s rich history throughout northeast Oklahoma.

The Cherokee people come from one fire. By sharing our collective narrative, we continue to preserve the Cherokee heritage and educate future generations.

Experience our historical sites and attractions. Follow in the footsteps of our Cherokee ancestors and walk the paths they traveled more than a century ago. With each step, you are celebrating their legacies and keeping the Cherokee spirit alive. wado,

Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Bill John Baker CHEROKEE NATION ATTRACTIONS

Cherokee National Capitol

The Cherokee National Capitol currently houses the judicial branch of the Cherokee Nation. The building was completed in 1869 and held the executive and legislative offices until 1906, when the Five Civilized Tribes began to abolish their tribal governments in accordance with the Curtis Act of 1898. The capitol building underwent an extensive exterior historic restoration in 2013, and the cupola that was destroyed by fire in 1928 was replaced on top of the building.

John Ross Museum

When you visit the John Ross Museum in historic Park Hill, also known as Rural School 51, you will get a close-up look into the life and leadership of the great Cherokee, John Ross. He was principal chief of the Cherokee Nation for more than 30 years during some of the tribe’s most trying times. CHEROKEE NATION ATTRACTIONS

Cherokee National Prison Museum

At the Cherokee National Prison Museum, you will learn the history of Cherokee law and order. Situated in the middle of historic Tahlequah, the prison was built in 1875 to hold the most hardened criminals in Indian Territory.

Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum

The Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum, built in 1844, is the oldest government building still standing in Oklahoma. The museum houses an original printing press of the Cherokee Advocate, the official newspaper of the Cherokee Nation and the first newspaper in Oklahoma. CHEROKEE NATION ATTRACTIONS

Cherokee Heritage Center

Established in 1967, the Cherokee Heritage Center is located on the grounds of the first Cherokee National Seminary. The center was designed to preserve and promote Cherokee culture. You will experience dynamic exhibits, visit the Cherokee Family Research Center, which was established to aid individuals in search of their Cherokee ancestry, and take a tour of Diligwa, a living exhibit providing the most authentic Cherokee experience in the world based on life in the early 1700s.

Murrell Home

The Murrell Home was built in 1845 by George M. Murrell who was married to Minerva Ross in 1834. Minerva was the niece of Chief John Ross. The Murrell Home is the only remaining plantation home in modern day Oklahoma and is a reminder of the wealthy life style practiced by a few within the Cherokee Nation before the Civil War. The grounds include a reproduction George Murrell Mercantile Store from the 1850s, as well as nature trails. CHEROKEE NATION ATTRACTIONS

Fort Gibson Historic Site

Built in 1824, Fort Gibson was a staging area for several military expeditions seeking peace between native tribes. Visitors can see the reconstruction of early log forts, as well as original buildings from the 1840s through the 1870s.

map and Mileage Chart To Kansas City, KS

TULSA TAHLEQUAH

To Joplin, MO AMARILLO 364 427 DALLAS 256 263 75 To Wichita, KS (412 to I-35 N) FAYETTEVILLE 117 57 169 I-44 FORT SMITH 118 71

412 Tulsa Claremore To Fayetteville, AR JOPLIN 114 123 412 kansas city, mo 241 353 Tahlequah LITTLE ROCK 274 215

I-44 OKC 107 169 Capital of the Cherokee Nation SPRINGFIELD 182 181 To Oklahoma City, OK 75 ST. LOUIS 396 404 To Ft. Smith, AR TAHLEQUAH 73 * 40 TULSA * 73 WICHITA 176 250 WICHITA FALLS 244 301 To Dallas, TX Cherokee tours

CHEROKEE HISTORY TOUR Take a guided tour in the heart of the Cherokee Nation before and after the Trail of Tears with an adventure in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. This package includes a guided tour of the Cherokee Heritage Center, Cherokee National Prison Museum, Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum and the Murrell Home.

9:00 a.m. Depart Cherokee Nation Welcome Center* – 16200 E. Skelly Drive Tulsa, OK • Meet guide inside lobby

10:15 a.m. Cherokee Heritage Center – Park Hill, OK • Site greeting and orientation • Diligwa-1710 Cherokee Village (10:30 a.m. guided tour) • Trail of Tears exhibit and Cherokee Heritage Center Museum Gift Shop* • Adam’s Corner Rural Village and general store - self guided walking tour

12:00 p.m. Home-style buffet lunch at Restaurant of the Cherokees – Tahlequah, OK • Cherokee Nation Gift Shop*

1:15 p.m. George M. Murrell Home – Park Hill, OK • Antebellum plantation home, Mercantile Store • Museum store*

2:30 p.m. Historic Cherokee Capitol Square and Downtown Tahlequah • Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum and Gift Shop* • Cherokee National Capitol - monuments and building exterior • Cherokee National Prison Museum and Gift Shop*

4:00 p.m. Northeastern State University-Cherokee National Female Seminary – Tahlequah, OK • Bronze Sequoyah statue and Cherokee syllabary display

4:15 p.m. Depart Tahlequah via Hwy 82 for Tulsa, OK

5:30 p.m. Arrive Cherokee Nation Welcome Center* – Tulsa, OK

*10% discount at all gift shops visited for tour guests. Cherokee tours

Cherokee Civil War tour Cherokee Nation is rich in its Civil War history, and this tour features dozens of landmarks that will tell the Civil War story through the eyes of Cherokee people. Set in Tahlequah and Fort Gibson, this package features a walking tour of Cherokee Nation’s Capitol Square, along with visits to the Murrell Home, John Ross Museum and Fort Gibson Historic Site.

9:00 a.m. Depart Cherokee Nation Welcome Center* – 16200 E. Skelly Drive Tulsa, OK • Meet guide inside lobby

10:00 a.m. Fort Gibson Historic Site – Fort Gibson, OK • Visitor’s center, gift shop* • Reconstructed Log Fort, barracks, bake house

12:00 p.m. Home-style buffet lunch at Restaurant of the Cherokees – Tahlequah, OK • Cherokee Nation Gift Shop*

1:00 p.m. George M. Murrell Home – Park Hill, OK • Antebellum plantation home, Mercantile Store • Museum store*

2:00 p.m. John Ross Museum* and Ross Cemetery – Park Hill, OK

3:00 p.m. Historic Cherokee Capitol Square and Downtown Tahlequah • Cherokee National Supreme Court Museum and Gift Shop* • Cherokee National Capitol - monuments and building exterior

4:00 p.m. Northeastern State University-Cherokee National Female Seminary – Tahlequah, OK • Bronze Sequoyah statue and Cherokee syllabary display

4:15 p.m. Depart Tahlequah for Tulsa

5:30 p.m. Arrive Cherokee Nation Welcome Center* – Tulsa, OK

*10% discount at selected gift shops for tour guests. Cherokee tours

WILL ROGERS HISTORY TOUR Celebrate the life and work of the world-famous Cherokee, Will Rogers. Journey through his life starting with his Cherokee roots in Indian Territory to his days as a Hollywood actor and famed political commentator. Guests will have the chance to tour the Will Rogers Museum in Claremore and Rogers birthplace, the historically restored house on Dog Iron Ranch, in Oologah.

9:00 a.m. Depart Cherokee Nation Welcome Center* – 16200 E. Skelly Drive, Tulsa, OK • Meet guide inside main lobby entrance

9:40 a.m. Dog Iron Ranch – Oologah, OK • Will Rogers birth home and Amish barn

10:30 a.m. Will Rogers Memorial Museum – Claremore, OK • Theatre, museum and gift shop* • Will Rogers family gravesite

12:00 p.m. BBQ style lunch at the Pink House – Claremore, OK

1:30 p.m. Optional sites – Belvidere*, J.M. Davis Arms & Historical Museum*, Claremore Museum of History

2:15 p.m. Downtown Claremore

3:00 p.m. Arrive Cherokee Nation Welcome Center* – Tulsa, OK

*10% discount at selected gift shops for tour guests.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES GROUP TOUR PRICING

Cherokee Pottery/Pinch Pot – $6.00 45 minutes Full Day Tours $6.00 Cherokee Basket Weaving – 60 minutes Adults - guide, site admissions and buffet lunch Storytelling – $4.00 time varies $40.00 Cornhusk Dolls – $6.00 60 minutes College Students - guide, site admissions and buffet lunch – Mini Stickball Sticks – $6.00 60 minutes $35.00 College Students - guide, site admissions and bring own lunch Traditional Meal $10.00 $25.00 Catered to Owens School - fried catfish fillets, chicken, Half Day Tours baked potato, coleslaw, brown beans, hush puppies, strawberry dumplings, tea and water. Adults and Students - guide, site admission, buffet lunch – $30.00 Adults and Students - guide, site admission, no lunch – $25.00

Osiyo shuttle/driver - available if needed. Minimum of 10 guest for Osiyo shuttle and driver. Maximum of 25 guests for Osiyo shuttle.

Minimum of 25 Guest. All prices are per person and subject to change. 6% tribal fee not included. Embrace the Cherokee Spirit

Tour operators and their groups are always welcome in Cherokee Nation. Whether it’s for a day, a weekend or a full week of culture, exploration, food and fun, Cherokee Nation gladly accommodates and personalizes the needs of tour groups. Please call (877) 779-6977 for all inquiries.

A wide array of cultural sites, events and activities within the beautiful expanse of Cherokee Nation can be viewed at VisitCherokeeNation.com and through the Osiyo mobile app.

Tour group operators who would like to tailor their group’s experience even more should go to VisitCherokeeNation.com.

Contact us today to start your Cherokee adventure.

VisitCherokeeNation.com (877) 779-6977